Part 2: "The Ferryman" Summary

Siddhartha asks a ferryman to take him across the river. Twenty years have passed, but Siddhartha recognizes that the ferryman is Vasudeva, who took Siddhartha across the river after he left the Samanas. Siddhartha recounts his life for Vasudeva, who listens intently. When Siddhartha is finished, Vasudeva asks Siddhartha if he would like to come live with him and be his assistant. Siddhartha accepts.

Siddhartha becomes radiantly happy living with Vasudeva. Then, one day, Kamala and her young son, Siddhartha's child, are near the ferry when Kamala gets bitten by a snake. Hearing her cries of pain, Vasudeva brings her to his hut, where he and Siddhartha care for her. She gets better enough for a while to talk to Siddhartha, but she is too sick and dies, leaving her son with Siddhartha.